Screen printing and embroidery are the most common methods Shirt Werks uses to add your logo and other designs onto garments, whether you’re designing T-shirts for your volunteer crew at the State Fair or updating your corporate apparel.
Despite the popularity of screen printing and embroidery, it can be tough to know which option is best. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide if screen printing or embroidery is the right choice for the shirt you’re designing.
Typical Applications for Screen Printing and Embroidery
We typically see customers choose screen printing for T-shirts, sweatshirts, sport shirts, and other informal apparel. The smooth finish of cotton or polyester fabrics make it easy to apply ink so your design really pops. Screen printing is ideal for full-front or full-back designs.
Embroidery is a very popular choice for more formal garments, such as golf shirts, button-downs, and sweaters. It is also a good option for accessories such as hats, gloves, jackets, and bags. Most customers choose to simply embroider their logos on their apparel, though Shirt Werks has the expertise to embroider larger designs, too.
The Look of Screen Printing and Embroidery
Screen printing uses ink to print a design on your garment. While this design is one-dimensional, you have a wide range of design and color options to make your shirts really pop. It has a clean, flat, and modern look.
Embroidery is considered more professional and is a traditional choice for corporate apparel. Embroidered designs are three-dimensional, as the embroidery will sit slightly above the fabric of the garment. The thread we use to embroider apparel has a sheen that can help colors pop, too.
The Cost Difference between Screen Printing and Embroidery
The cost of screen printing depends on how many shirts you’re printing, the number of colors you’ve incorporated into your design, and whether you’re printing on the front, back, or both. Ordering shirts in bulk will save you in the cost per shirt, while adding more colors and printing both sides of a shirt will increase costs.
The cost of embroidery is determined by the stitch count—the more stiches your design requires, the higher the cost tends to be.
The Shirt Werks team has more than 20 years of experience screen printing and embroidering apparel for businesses, nonprofits, church organizations, and sports leagues. We look forward to speaking with you about your next shirt order. Contact us today to get started
